Author: Brother Bill

The Most Prized Possession

On By Brother BillIn Uncategorized1 Comment

By William Oldham

“…As Jesus was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-22

This is a story most Christians are familiar with, but don’t readily identify with because most of God’s children don’t have great possessions. But while we may not have great possessions as he did, if we look real close, we’ll see that we all, rich and poor alike, share the most prized possession of all: our eternal souls.

First and foremost, this story is not about the man’s earthly possessions. Earthly possessions are not evil; its not sinful to have possessions, many or few. But when they become our treasure, that’s when they become our downfall. Jesus warns us:

““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

This story is about the man’s soul, the eternal destiny of his soul. And that’s what was on his mind when he approached Jesus: “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” He asked Jesus an honest question, and Jesus gave him a true and honest answer: “One thing you lack: Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow Me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. His great possessions had such complete control of his heart, that when he came to his Maker, he chose to reject the words that he had asked for; he refused the words that would save him, and walked away from Jesus. Paul said this:

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10

So much for those proud shepherds who like to parade their wealth before their flock.

The man was so blinded by his love for his earthly possessions, that he couldn’t see that his most prized possession was his eternal soul; and more importantly, He couldn’t see that Jesus loved his soul.

We have to live in this present world and are to do the works of God until Jesus returns for us. Now, we grow up in a family, we find work, we get married, we make a home for ourselves. Our family whom we love very much, is not our most prized possession—our eternal soul is. And if Jesus is our first love, we will not only look out for the welfare of our own soul, but for the souls of those near and dear to us.

I was a pastor for many years, but I was also a factory worker for 44 years. I got weary of punching the timeclock every day, but I liked my work and was good at what I did. Ten years into working with a group of unsaved men, I was born again. From that point on, my primary concern and prayer was not my work, but the welfare of those men’s souls. Thank God over the years, several gave their hearts to Jesus.

We love our family, our home, and hopefully like our work. And over the course of the years, the Lord blesses us with a decent income. We may have hobbies or activities that we like; we may take vacations and have regular family get-togethers; we may really be into the sports scene. But whatever path our lives may take, however much we may love our family, how much we may value our home, may we never prize anything above our immortal souls, and may we never love anyone more than Jesus.

Jesus lived on this earth 33 years without owning a single thing. And at the end of His life, He willingly gave up the earthly possession we all prize most highly—His body! And Jesus did it because of the value of your soul, and His love for it; Jesus purchased your soul from death with His own blood because He loves you!

I know how the rich young man’s life ended: he died just like everyone else does. I’m also sure of this: that as he saw his days coming to a close, he would have given up all his possessions to live just a while longer. And so Jesus’ word is: “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul.” Mark 8:36

As children of God, our most prized possession is Jesus Christ. He has purchased us with His own blood—body and soul. Our eternal souls are hid with Him at the right hand of God. When Jesus comes, not only will our eternal lives be revealed, but God has prepared a new, glorious, incorruptible, immortal body that will house our eternal soul—Praise God!

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2

Brother Bill Oldham       bboldham@sbcglobal.net

Perfecting Holiness by Brother Bill Oldham

On By Brother BillIn Uncategorized2 Comments

“Therefore, having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

What is holiness? What does it mean to be holy? The writer of Hebrews put it this way: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

So, we need to know what holiness is, and what it isn’t, and how to perfect it, if we plan on seeing the Lord.

Holiness is not something you do; you can’t make yourself holy. You can practice all the things that are typically held up to do in Christian life, but they won’t make you holy. You may attend church meetings every time the doors are open; you may read your Bible regularly; you may be a faithful tither; you may be an evangelist, pastor, teacher, deacon, or song leader; but none of these will make you holy.

Holiness, or being made holy comes from God alone. Holiness has everything to do with your heart being separated from this world, and separated unto God. And, to fully understand this, we must look at what God has done and is doing.

Your old heart is corrupt and dead in trespasses and sins; it cannot be made holy. And you cannot ever see or be with God in that condition. But God, in His great love for you, wants you to live with Him and Jesus forever in His home, as His dear children. And so, before ever creating this world, or making man, God made plans to make unholy people holy.

One of the first to preview God’s plan was a man named Nicodemus. He came to Jesus, thinking he knew about God and Jesus. And that’s when Jesus revealed the only way anyone could ever see God:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God…you must be born again.” John 3:3-6

It is through the new birth, that a sinner man is brought to life by the mercy and grace of God, and given a new heart. The new birth is of God.

“Jesus came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

When anyone is born of God, Paul declares he is in Christ and, “…is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 And this is when and where the sinner is made holy.

When a person is born again they are baptized into Christ, both by the Holy Spirit and in water. The water visibly demonstrates what God has done through His Holy Spirit. The new believer is joined to Christ in His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. In this spiritual oneness in Christ, the believer is effectually separated from the world and separated unto God. The old man has died with Christ, and the newly born one has risen with Him. The new man is holy unto the Lord; he has been separated from the domain of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.

Peter so writes:

“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…you are a holy nation…” 1 Peter 2:5-9

There is only one way we may become holy, and that is by being born of God. The text at the beginning of this article calls for us to perfect that holiness in the fear of God. How are we to do that…God’s word is plain and simple: it’s all about watchfully and willingly separating yourself from the love for the things of this world.

We live in this world: we go to school, we marry and raise families, we work, we buy and sell, we build, and we form friendships. But in living in this world we are called to remember that this world is not our home, we are pilgrims and strangers just passing thru. Paul warns and instructs us:

“…Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

But Paul declares a particular area where, if we would be holy, we must be separate:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people,” Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

This Scripture calls for us to behave as God’s holy children, thereby perfecting holiness in the fear of our Father. Separation from the ungodly is the call here; The world and the apostate church of Rome is calling for and promoting just the opposite. Brotherhood among all religions is the order of the day. The great deception is well underway. And many affluent and high profile western “pastors and teachers” are buying into it.

All the religions of this world deny Christ as the Son of God, and God in the flesh; the religious cults deny Christ as being the virgin-born Son of God: true God and true man; they deny His literal resurrection. All of these have one thing in common: they are of the spirit of antichrist. So, to call for “fellowship and brotherhood”, mutual respect and understanding, for all religions, is to ask Christ to have fellowship with the devil.

Do you want to be found in a church that is part of this deception; do you want to sit under a teacher that promotes this? This is the broad road that leads to destruction.

You may say, “well, I agree with what you say, but I love the fellowship and don’t intend to leave. I’ll just ignore what’s being said.”

You can easily dismiss what I’ve said, but can you afford to ignore what the Scripture says:

“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord”

Separation will cost you friends and positions, but if you want to follow Christ, you will perfect holiness in the fear of God.

Brother Bill Oldham        bboldham@sbcglobal.net

Walk In The Spirit

On By Brother BillIn Uncategorized4 Comments

By Brother Bill Oldham

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:16-18

Clearly, the apostle Paul was dealing with a huge problem in the church at Galatia. Men had come in who were teaching them that they had to follow the Law of Moses to be saved. They weren’t denying Christ or the cross, but were saying that faith in Christ wasn’t sufficient for the salvation of the Gentiles: they must adhere to the Law to be saved.

In addressing this issue, Paul, in Galatians 5, teaches truths for Christians, both Jew and Gentile, that is timeless for all generations of believers in Christ. Context is important, but the Word of God is not limited to time or context. And in Galatians 5, God’s word gives us some very important insights, as we seek to live out our Christian life.

One of the goals of the Christian life is to be fruitful, and all through the New Testament, this is emphasized in several different ways—but its there. And the Holy Spirit is given to every believer in order to work in us, that which will bring forth fruit to the glory of God and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. From start to finish: the planting, watering, and bringing forth fruit: its all of God, and from God.

I could say here that Paul summarizes everything that needs to be said by his simple command to the Galatian church: four words: “Walk in the Spirit.” But that raises a very big question: what does it mean to walk in the Spirit? The Word of God gives us the answer.

Walking in the Spirit is to walk by faith. We have never seen Jesus Christ; we have never audibly heard Him speak; we didn’t see Him crucified, and we didn’t see Him resurrected. And yet, we believe in Him; we testify that His blood has washed away all our sins; that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. We call on His name, and daily thank Him for His love to us. That’s walking in the Spirit; that’s being led by the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is to walk in hope. Jesus left us with two wonderful, precious promises. He said He was going to prepare a home for us: an eternal home of never-ending love, joy and peace; where we will enjoy being in the presence of the Father and Jesus forever. And all of that in a city of indescribable beauty.

Jesus also promised to come back and get us and personally take us to our new home. Paul describes that transforming, glorious day when Jesus comes for us; that moment when faith becomes sight; when we meet the One Who died for us, face to face.

“…The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”                                       1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 / 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

As we daily embrace and hope for that day, we are walking in the Spirit; we are being led by the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is to walk in love. Jesus’ last command to His church could not be any clearer:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

The apostles were faithful to emphasize that this command of Jesus was of first importance in a believer’s life.

Paul: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves has fulfilled the law.” Romans 12:9-10 / 13:8

Peter: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22

John: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:10-11

Big question: what does this love look like? First of all, in the regular assembly meetings, you make it your business to meet those you are there with. You want to know their name, and show yourself friendly. As a Pastor and church goer for all of my Christian life, it is appalling how so many “church folks” want to promote and get in the spirit of things: preaching, singing, get-togethers, and etc, but are completely unwilling to reach out to new faces, or even old faces, let alone love them.

Godly love seeks to serve one another with the gift/gifts God has given us: teaching, encouraging, giving, helping, leading, showing mercy, and above all, always ready to overlook the faults of others and forgive them. Walking in love towards one another is walking in the Spirit, and being led by the Spirit.

One final thought from Galatians 5. Your flesh, your old man, will fight you on this all the way home. Paul said that in his flesh dwelt no good thing. Do not be alarmed or surprised when you want to do right, and something inside of you wants to shut you down. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we rise and follow Jesus. And when we faithfully seek to do this, the fruit of the Holy Spirit will break forth to the glory of God.

Walk In The Spirit!

Brother Bill Oldham      bboldham@sbcglobal.net

Christ’s Final Command

On By Brother BillIn Uncategorized1 Comment

In His final hours with His apostles, Jesus gave His church a clear command as to her waiting and watching for His return, Jesus said this:

“…Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:32-37

“Watch”. Some Bible versions give us “be on guard” or “be alert”. But the command is clear: Jesus will return: we know not when: Stay ready by watching and praying. That night in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew the hour of the power of darkness was coming on Him and His apostles. And what did he ask them to do in preparation for that—Watch and pray.

The apostles’ response to Jesus’ words were to yield to the pulling of the flesh and go to sleep. And of course, the results are there: the Apostles, with the exception of John and Peter, scattered; but then Peter later denied knowing the Lord three times.

I was born again 57 years ago. Before that, I was a devout Catholic for many years. I was very religious, but dead in trespasses and sins. I was raised up and strictly taught church doctrine and practices starting at the age of six. But I was not only not taught the Bible, but was taught to avoid it. We didn’t even have one in our house. The word “Watch” loses all meaning when the Bible is set aside.

After I was born again, I was led to begin reading the Bible. I began reading certain books in the Bible, and then started reading through the Bible once a year, and still do. This is not a brag, but to make a point, to make an appeal to my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I have read through the Bible in at least 7 different translations.

Here’s my point: the Bible is the very word of God. Reading from Genesis to Revelation is the only way to have your eyes opened to the marvelous workings of God and Christ; to know them, and to enable you to watch for Christ’s return. It is the sure way to lead and guide you against false teachers and temptations; and to bring you comfort and help in times of trials and afflictions. It’s God’s way; it’s Jesus’ way; it’s the Holy Spirit’s way;

Over the centuries, the church has had some great preachers who had faithful followers. We have some today who have faithful followers. And those followers will say: without them, I can’t understand the Bible. But here’s the catch: if you don’t know what the Bible actually says, you’re building your spiritual house on hearsay. They may be eloquent and inspiring, but how do you know what they are saying is the truth?

There’s coming a day when false teachers are going to speak so compelling, that if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. The professing church of today is filled with false teachers and a multitude of followers: the blind leading the blind to destruction. How do you know, how can you know, the person you’re following is leading you in truth and not error?

Knowing the Scriptures, reading God’s word is the only sure path to be able to discern truth from error. Jesus said this:

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Read God’s word every day: find a plan that will take you through the Bible in a year, and read His word from Genesis to Revelations: not devotionals, not study Bibles, read God’s Scriptures, what He wrote for you to read. If you faithfully set yourself to do this, you will find an amazing transformation taking place in your spiritual life.

Prayer. There are no shortcuts or excuses accepted here. Jesus Himself prayed much, and He taught His disciples to pray. He taught us that we don’t have to use a lot of words, nor repeat ourselves: Jesus said our Father knows what we have need of before we ask. He taught us to go to a private place, and there our Father would see us secretly, and reward us openly. Matthew 6:5-6

Jesus taught us to always pray and not lose heart, because our Father is listening; Jesus taught us to be persistent in our prayers because our Father not only hears our every cry, but is sure to answer. Paul taught that we don’t really know how to pray sometimes, and the Holy Spirit prays for us. Romans 8:26 Paul also wrote this:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Make prayer and God’s Word of first importance in your daily life. Here’s something to ask yourself when you awake in the morning: the throne or the phone?

Jesus is coming! How will He find you: sleeping to the devil’s delight? Or, watching and praying, as Jesus commanded?

Brother Bill   bboldham@sbcglobal.net